Thompson: D.J. Gregory's walking tour of the PGA is an inspiration

D.J. Gregory walked every hole of every round at every PGA Tour event in 2008, which in itself is a remarkable achievement.

D.J. Gregory tells his story in a book, Walking with Friends: An Inspirational Year on the PGA Tour.But his feat takes on so much more significance when you learn that he has cerebral palsy and that each step he takes, aided by a cane, is one that doctors told his parents years ago he would never take.

Gregory will be in Birmingham on Jan. 27 to tell his inspirational story at United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham's Life Without Limits luncheon. It will be held at The Club, starting at 11:30, and is open to the public. Tickets are $35 for individuals, with tables of eight going for $500.

Gregory walked 988 miles as he traversed 3,256 holes on tour. He took in 44 events in 45 weeks starting Jan. 3 at the Mercedes Championship held over the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii -- "The hardest course by far to walk because there is no level ground" -- and ending at the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Walt Disney World on Nov. 9.

"During all this time I slept in my own bed (in Savannah, Ga.) a total of four days," he said.

So how did all this get started?

"I've played golf (one-handed) since I was nine and love the sport. I've broken 100 one time.

"I'm a sports fanatic, with golf my favorite."

He went to watch his first PGA Tour event when he was 12.

The idea to walk the tour came later, but he knew early on that he wanted to get to know the players and get inside the ropes to do so.

Much planning went into making his year on tour possible, with a sizable assist from CBS Sports lead commentator Jim Nantz.

"I've known Jim 19 years and I told him what I wanted to do."

Nantz told Gregory to put a proposal together and he would give it to tour commissioner Tim Finchem. Gregory's phone rang the very next week and he met with various tour officials who soon embraced his idea.

He walked a couple of events in '07 as a tryout of sorts. Then 2008 was a go and the tour arranged for him to walk with a different professional every week, after which he would write a blog on pgatour.com.

"When I put my mind to something I'm very determined and I never doubted I could do it. I cherished every day, I really did."

I asked him which players he had really connected with on tour.

"Naturally I was closer to some more than others, but all 44 were great and told me whatever I needed, it was done. If pushed, I'd list seven I became especially close to: Robert Gamez, Rich Beem, Kenny Perry, Bubba Watson, Steve Marino, Boo Weekley and Parker McLachlin."

Gregory wrote a book, Walking with Friends: An Inspirational Year on the PGA Tour, and plans to visit most PGA Tour events this year as he talks about his book and meets up with friends. He was able to make the year happen through the help of Southwest Airlines, Greg Norman Apparel Collection, FootJoy shoes (he went through five custom-made pairs), Marriott hotels and various others.

His parents, particularly his father Don, were regular companions.

"What I kept telling him is there's not a player out here that walks every round of every tournament," Don Gregory said. "There's nobody, I mean nobody, who does this."

D.J. wouldn't take no for an answer then and doesn't plan on starting now. Good for him.